It's creeping up on two years since Seacoast soul-infused rockers Gretchen & the Pickpockets released their debut EP, "Stop" — an EP that had people talking.

The sound. The talent. The promise. We've been waiting ever since with bated breath for the release of the follow-up.

That wait is no longer. A universal sigh of relief has been executed to the tune of a brand-spanking-new, full-length, self-titled recording (engineered and produced by Jon Nolan and Tyler Geis), which is set to be released at The Press Room on Friday, June 13.

Spotlight caught up with the band to talk about its existence and its excitement about the process of moving forward.

SPOTLIGHT: Let's talk about the new record. Your debut full-length! What were the goals behind this record? What lessons (if any) did you take from the making of your introductory EP — 2012's "Stop"?

SMITH (guitar): For us, we wanted a record that stayed as true to ourselves as possible. We've got a very organic sound that doesn't really call for a lot of post-production sheen or effects, so we actually tracked the entire thing live save for a few overdubs. We wanted to capture that spontaneity and communication that we have as a group rather than tracking everything individually.

MIKE KLEMPA (bass, vocalist Gretchen Klempa's brother: I think every band's goal is to "make the best record ever." Our goal was to come out of the studio with smiles on our faces and be proud of our work. I think the biggest difference between our EP and full-length is the amount of Slush Puppies consumed in the making of each album. It got to a point where the lady behind the counter told us she was selling an awful lot of them all of a sudden. I may invest in Slush Puppie stock the next time we hit the studio

SPOTLIGHT: Let's trace the roots for a minute. How'd Gretchen & the Pickpockets come to be? What got you guys interested in trying your hand at this thing called music?

GRETCHEN KLEMPA (vocals): I met my brother when I came out of my mom's womb 21 years ago. But then I met Ryan O'Connell — through a mutual friend — and he brought in Richie. And we eventually found Jim (McGuiness — drums) about a year after becoming a band, and the rest is history. We've really become a family over the past year

SPOTLIGHT: Seacoast, New Hampshire. How receptive has the local scene been to G&P's tunes? What are the advantages of living in such an artistically rich area? Are there disadvantages?

SMITH: There's so much support for the music scene here, bands are always looking to help each other out and just share our music and passions with each other, and I just love that supportive vibe. I love encountering bands and people who aren't just about bragging or talking themselves up either, when people are just genuine and let the music speak for themselves, that's when I really love the scene. And the audience responds to that genuineness so much too, this is just such a fantastic area to be.

MIKE KLEMPA: The Seacoast is great for the arts. Not only do the venues rock, but so do the people. We try to go to as many (University of New Hampshire) music mentor nights (organized and orchestrated by Nate Hastings, coordinator of Student Organizations and Leadership) and soak it all in like a sponge. One night Richie goes in and walks up to Bruce (Pingree) of Press Room fame and chats for a little bit, and then all of a sudden we had our first big show at The Press Room. For us at the time, that was 'Oceans 11' level stuff. No one at music mentors needs to be there, or is forced to participate, they all just go and want to help out the 'smaller' artists who want to grow. It's awesome.

SPOTLIGHT: What are you hoping folks take with them when they experience your music?

GRETCHEN KLEMPA: I just want people to hear the music, and use it how they see fit. For them to take it in however they need to take it in. It doesn't matter what the song means to me specifically, because it means something completely different to someone else. And I hope it helps someone, and that they're able to put themselves in the position of the story to help cope with things or just even to feel happy or wanna groove.

SPOTLIGHT: What are you hoping to take from the experience of creating this music?

SMITH: I hope we get to progress and improve as musicians even more. I never wanna get comfortable and stay in one place. I wanna push past what we already know and figure out new progressions, invent new techniques, just constantly create while still having fun with the whole thing. It's really important to remember that music is fun. Some people don't!

MIKE KLEMPA: I'd like to walk away with a Grammy (Award) but a, 'Hey man, you guys are awesome' from someone I don't know at a show is just as cool.

SPOTLIGHT: What excites you about the upcoming release of the record? How does it fit into your scheme of world domination, if such a scheme exists as a working part of the band's plans?

SMITH: This is the first thing I've ever recorded where I'll listen to it by myself and not feel embarrassed to hear myself, but to think that I'm in a studio having fun with my friends, living out my dream, and being completely absorbed in this passion. It's a testament to that experience, and to me that's a beautiful thing. Also, Tyler Geis is an absolute boss at producing, the thing sounds ridiculous. Jon Nolan is a gentleman, a scholar, and a fellow falafel enthusiast, and he is the perfect studio engineer to have with us as well.

RYAN O'CONNELL (trumpet, guitar and vocals): We're banking on selling about a million copies in the first two weeks, so we'll probably be super rich and famous pretty soon, no big deal.

SPOTLIGHT: What can you tell us about the release party at The Press Room? What can fans expect?

MIKE KLEMPA: Since it is a release show, and a bigger affair than the usual gig, we brought in two awesome bands who also happen to be old friends of ours: Red Light Radio and The Kenny Brothers, who are going to warm up the booties so they are ready to shake when we go on. We also have a couple surprises up our sleeve, I guess you'll just have to go to find out

SPOTLIGHT: Who is the best pickpocket in the band?

SMITH: Ooooh, good question. One interview we did at UNH, the only quote they got from me was, 'We steal people's things,' when I jokingly responded to being asked about the origins of the name of the band. So pro-tip: no sarcasm in interviews. Not even once.